Kwankwaso has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of fraudulently allocating votes to Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25 presidential election. In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Kwankwaso alleged that the electoral commission allocated votes to Tinubu, which led to his victory in the election.
The electoral umpire declared Tinubu the winner of the presidential election after polling a total of 8,794,726 total votes to defeat his closest contender, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled a total of 6,984,520 votes. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) polled a total of 6,101,533 votes to secure the third position. Kwankwaso came fourth with a total of 1,496,687 votes in the presidential election.
Kwankwaso's accusations against INEC have sparked controversy in Nigeria, with some Nigerians expressing their support for his claims while others have criticized him for making unfounded allegations. However, Kwankwaso believes that Nigerians no longer like the ruling APC and that the NNPP has a bright future because "big politicians" are interested in the party.
"Another interesting thing is that more people, particularly big politicians, are seriously indicating interest in our party, and they are willing to make necessary contributions to move the party forward. Take a look at our rivals, particularly the PDP.
They are in a serious crisis, particularly as it concerns its leaders. In Kano State, some thought PDP will be of help to them or the game changer, but they were disappointed woefully. Same with the APC," he said.
Kwankwaso's accusations against INEC have also raised concerns about the credibility of the electoral process in Nigeria. Many Nigerians believe that the electoral process is often marred by irregularities, and Kwankwaso's allegations have added to these concerns. Some Nigerians have called for an independent investigation into the allegations to ensure that the electoral process is fair and transparent.
INEC has not yet responded to Kwankwaso's allegations, but the commission has previously denied any involvement in electoral fraud. The commission has also taken steps to improve the credibility of the electoral process in Nigeria, including the use of electronic voting machines and the introduction of biometric voter identification cards.
Despite these efforts, the credibility of the electoral process in Nigeria remains a major concern for many Nigerians. The country has a long history of election-related violence, and many Nigerians believe that the electoral process is often rigged in favour of the ruling party.
Kwankwaso's accusations against INEC have added to these concerns, and many Nigerians are now calling for reforms to ensure that the electoral process is fair and transparent. The NNPP has also called for reforms, including the use of electronic voting machines and the introduction of biometric voter identification cards.
The controversy surrounding Kwankwaso's allegations against INEC is likely to continue in the coming weeks, as Nigerians prepare for the next general elections. The electoral process in Nigeria is often fraught with tension and uncertainty, and many Nigerians are now calling for a transparent and fair electoral process to ensure that the will of the people is respected.